2022
Incorporating
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
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www.mansfieldcourier.com.au
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Page 12
LITTLE GOATS, BIG DREAMS
OH, WHAT A F OH FEELING! EELING!
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SPECIAL TAX TIME FEATURE
THE Tran family from Vietnam were jumping for joy on Mt Buller last week during their first ever visit to the snow. PHOTO: Tony Harrington
Council budget a big splash MANSFIELD Shire council has voted to adopt its proposed budget for the next financial year after extensive consultation and an open submissions process, promising to deliver investments for a variety of projects as well as streamlining council’s operations. Mayor Cr James Tehan said it is a sound and economically responsible budget that responds to community input. “With inflation running at 7 per cent, a State Government rate cap of 3.5 per cent, and increased waste charges, the only way to balance this budget was through significant cost savings and/or increased revenue,” said Cr Tehan. “The budget included a thorough process that identified up front cost savings of approximately $500,000 and increased investment revenue of $250,000, which has made balancing this budget possible
Beat the
BY SAMUEL O’BRIEN sobrien@ nemedia.com.au
and inclusion of many initiatives in response to the community feedback.” Major items include $15.58 million for the region’s capital works program, $89,000 to extend operating hours for the Mansfield Library and streamlining a variety of charges to use council facilities. Rates will also increase by under the 3.5 per cent cap set by the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System; however household waste charges will increase by nine per cent. The majority of ratepayers have a 120L kerbside rubbish bin and currently pay $495 and in 2023-24 will pay approximately $541.74. Mansfield Shire Council
SPRING RUSH
received 102 submissions from the community about where to focus investment in the area, with a further 14 made during draft consultations in May. The majority of these were in relation to improvements at the Mansfield Library and Lords Oval, both of which have been addressed. Council has also approved financial commitments to the IMPACT Route year one works, stage one construction of the Mansfield Heritage Museum and pump track design, upgrades to Mt Buller Service Road and the completion of stage two of the Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route. These will be funded with $7.92 million from government grants, $180,000 of developer contributions and $7.48 million from Council operations for a combined total of $15.58 million. Sporting facilities have not
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been ignored either, with council committing to substantial upgrades to the Lords Reserve Pavilion and Lords Oval as well as upgrades to the toilets at the Merton Racecourse. The Bonnie Doon and Merton Recreational Reserves will receive upgrades alongside pedestrian safety improvement projects in Mansfield and Goughs Bay. Within council, resources will be expanded to ensure that council operations meet demand and move towards long-term commitments. This includes increase support for community events, more resources for the Field Services team and software and a digitisation program to decrease carbon footprint and preserve records. Fees and charges have been simplified in the new budget with
fees scrapped to use the skate park, bouldering wall, cricket nets at Lords Oval and the herb garden in the Botanic Park. For consistency, additional charges, cleaning fees and key replacement fees have been added to a variety of locations to simplify the way the council charges for spaces. Despite this, council has managed to deliver a $9.1 million surplus, allowing for further investment into services and infrastructure over the course of the next financial year. During the June Council meeting Cr Mark Holcombe expressed his approval for the measures in the budget. “The challenge for our council, and all rural councils, is how we manage and survive with our limited financial resources,” he said. ■ Continued page 2
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